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Landscape

Breadcrumbs

Management arrangements in the Blackdown Hills

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The Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership comprising 6 local authorities, up to 8 parish councils and a range of national agencies and interest groups co-ordinates management work within the AONB. The Partnership aims to:

  • advise local authority partners on matters relating to the special landscape of the AONB.
  • undertake special studies.
  • agree an annual Action Plan for the Management Strategy.
  • review and monitor Strategy implementation.         

Six co-ordinating groups comprising local authority officers and local representatives meet to exchange information and pursue special initiatives.
 
 The Partnership co-ordinates the work of the AONB Unit which consists of an AONB Manager, Project Co-ordinator, Community Planning Officer and part time Admin Officer.

In 2004, the AONB Unit published an AONB management plan on behalf of it's local authorities.  To view a copy of the management plan and/or find out more about the work of the AONB Unit and Partnership visit their website www.blackdown-hills.net

Statutory policies   

In the Devon County Structure Plan Third Alteration there is a presumption against development within the AONBs, giving priority to the preservation and enhancement of AONB landscapes. The Somerset Structure Plan supports this policy by seeking to safeguard the exceptional landscape and wildlife qualities of the AONB by:

  • prioritising protection and enhancement of moors, heaths and woodland.
  • strict control of siting, design, scale and landscaping of developments.
  • a presumption against a range of new developments.
  • careful control of all developments in adjacent areas.         

A comparative study of local plan policies, which broadly support the structure plan policies, was produced by RUST Consultants in 1996.

Other AONB documentation   
A landscape assessment of the AONB was published by the Countryside Commission in 1989. (The Blackdown Hills Landscape, CCP 258, £5.00). This charts the development of the Blackdown Hills landscape including physical and human influences and introduces the present day landscape in terms of visual, ecological and settlement character.

Action on the ground     

Since the Management Strategy has been published many practical management and interpretation projects have been undertaken in the AONB. These include small woodland management surveys and schemes, hedgerow management training and management plans for heathlands and mires.
 
Guides have been produced for cycling and riding, and arts and crafts events held to promote local identity and support the rural economy. There is also a guide to travelling and staying in the AONB.
Active conservation organisations   
The Blackdowns Conservation Volunteers 
 
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